Food processing machine



March 4, 1941. T, R JAMES 2,233,919

FOOD PROCESSING MACHINE.

Filed Aug. 19, 1958 8 Sheets-Sheet l @Zyl March 4, 1941. T. R. JAMES 2,233,919

FOOD PROCESSING MACHINE Filed Aug. 19, 1938 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 SWW March 4, 1941. T. R. JAMES FOOD PRQCESSING MACHINE Filed Aug. 19, 1938 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 gmc/who@ March 4, 1941. T R JAMES 2,233,919

FOOD PROCESSING MACHINE Filed Aug. 19, 1938 8 lSheets--Sheec 4 March 4, 1941. 1'. R. JAMES FOOD PROCESSING MACHINE Filed Aug. 19, 1958 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Q Uw. m. W m. Sm w Nh. m. w im .l C f @u T ll 1 Q n \w\ Mm W hk. TME Nh l .n muy 1 |L me/Wto@ fa/med,

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March 4, 1941. r. R. JAMES FOOD PROCESSING MACHINE Filed Aug. 19, 1938 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 March 4, 1941.

T. R. JAMES FOOD PROCESSING MACHINE Filed.Y Aug. 19, 1938 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 March 4, 1941. T R, JAMES 2,233,919

FOOD PROCESSING MACHINE Filed Aug. 19, 1938 8 Sheets-Sheet @MMM Patented Mar. 4, 1941 PATENT OFFICE FOOD PROCESSING MACHINE Thomas E. James, Minneapolis, Minn., asaignor to General Mills, Inc., a corporation of Delaware Application August 13, 1938, Serial No. 225,767

3 Claims.

This invention relates to food processing machines and has special reference to a machine for preparing cooked food in the form of pellets or short cylinders particularly for use in a puilng gun for making a puffed cereal.

An object of the invention is to provide a machine of this character wherein a continuous movement of the food under preparation will take place without any manual handling from 1 the introduction of the ingredients into the machine to the production of the cooked pellets.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of this character wherein, from the time the food ingredients are introduced until the cooked pellets are produced there will be no exposure to external air, thus preventing general contamination from the air, the cooking operation serving todestroy any germs which may enter the machine during the feeding of the ingredients into the mixer.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a machine of this type having means for kneading, working and extruding a very tough viscous dough and for forming it into pellets of a desired size and shape.

With the above and other objects in view as will be hereinafter apparent, the invention consists in general of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawings like charactersl of reference indicate like parts in the several views, and:

Figure l is a side elevation'of the complete.

' machine with certain of the guards for the moving part omitted.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the machine.

Figure 3 is an end elevation of the machine,

o the view being taken from the right hand end of Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is an end elevation of the machine, the view being taken from the left hand end of Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 5 is a ve ical longitudinal section of the mixer mecha of the invention, the view being taken to an enlarged scale.

Figure 6 is a view, partly in plan and partly in horizontal section, and discloses the cooker 5o device to an enlarged scale.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary section on the line I-1 of Figure 5. g

Figure 8 is a fragmentary section on the line 8-8 of Figure 6.

65 Figure 9 is an enlarged detail section on the line 9-9 of Figure 2, the view showing details of the extruder unit. Figure 10 is a view on the line III-I0 of Figure 9, and showing one end of the extruder unit.

Figure 11 is a section on the line II-II of Figure 9.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary detail section on the line I2-I2 of Figure 8.

Figure 13 is a detail elevation, partly in section of a frame ring forming part of the device.

In carrying out this invention as shown in the accompanying drawings there is provided a Ibase frame III, which supports the various mechanisms through upstanding frame members II. Obviously the particular construction of this frame will depend on such factors as the size .of its machine, its location, and other purely mechanical matters. Therefore, the details of construction of the frame will not be specifically described, it being deemed suflicient to state that the various mechanisms entering into the invention itself are suitably supported from the frame.

In general the invention comprises a mixer I2 for mixing the ingredients of the food under preparation with suitable liquid such as water, a cooker I3 also having the function of constituting a dough mixer during the cooking operation, a feed or screw unit I l, an extrusion device or unit I5, and a blower or cooling device I6, the latter serving to keep the pellets in motion while cooling to prevent them from sticking to each other and to the machine and to blow them out of the same.

inasmuch as these devices act in the order named, on the food being prepared they will be described in that order.

The mixer I2 lies`at the top of the machine and includes a troughlike vessel I1 having sides I8 and ends I9. Referring to the positions of the various elements as shown in Figures 1 and 2 it will be seen that this vessel I1 lhas in its bottom at the left end an opening 20, the trough I1 extending to the right from this opening. In the end walls I9 is journaled the shaft ZI having secured thereon a conveyor worm 22. This worm extends from the right end of the trough II to the opening 20. Across the trough and extending from one side wall to the'other are supports 23, whereon rests a pipe 24 having separate openings 25 in its lower part. 'I'his pipe is connected to a feed pipe 26 which receives liquid from any suitable source such as a tank or the like, the source of liquid not being necessary here to be shown. It will be observed that the pipe 24 lies overand extends along the worm so that when the solid ingredients of the food are pressed in the trough by any suitable means and liquid flows from the pipe 24 the working of the worm will mix the liquid and solid ingredients and will feed these mixed ingredients to the opening 20. Extending from the left hand end of the trough |1 are brackets 21 which support a bearing 28 carrying the left hand end of the shaft 2|. 0n this left hand end there is further provided a sprocket 29 which is connected by a. chain 30 to a sprocket 3| driven in a manner which will presently be described.

The cooker I3 is composed of an upper section 32 and a lower section 33. The upper section is of inverted semicircular form in cross section, while the major part of the lower section is of U-shape in cross section, thus forming a trough. The sections 32 and 33 are provided with peripheral flanges 34 between which is a suitable gasket 35, Fig. l2, these sections being held together at intervals by holdfast means 36 of any suitable sort, which will provide for the removal of the upper section from the lower section when desired. The upper section 32 has end walls 31, and the lower section 33 has end walls 38. These end walls support two pairs of alined stumng boxes 39, wherein are journaled an upper shaft 46 and a lower shaft 4I, these shafts being paralle1 and having their axes concident with the centers of curvature of the upper and lower curved portions of the cooker. The sprocket 3| is mounted on the left hand end of the shaft 4|, so that when this shaft is rotated the shaft 2| will likewise be rotated. At the left hand end of the cooker there is provided an opening 42 (Fig. '1) and a peripheral wall 43 projects upwardly around this opening and has a flange 44 projecting outwardly from its upper edge. The side walls |8 of the mixer have, at the opening 20, downwardly and outwardly flaring portions 45 provided with flanges 46 which rest on the flange 44. This construction permits the mixed material from the mixer to spread out as it passes out of the mixer, and the opening 42 permits the mixed material to flow into the cooker.

The upper section of the cooker is provided with a heat insulating Jacket 41, and the lower section of the cooker is provided with an inner side wall 48 and an outer side wall 49 spaced concentrically from the wall 48 to form a steamjacket space 50, into which nipples 5| lead from this steam space and serve for connection to a pipe for steam supply and to an exhaust pipe. By means of this arrangement the steam spacing may be heated to any desired degree. The steam space 50 is provided with an insulating jacket 52. Extending radially from each of the shafts 40 and 4| is a series of arms 53 and diametrically opposite the arms 53 but in staggered relation thereto is a second series of arms 54. Carried on the outer end of each of the arms 53 and 54 is a combined stirring and conveying member 55,

which forms a T head on the arm. These 'r heads are set at an angle to the axis of the respective shafts and the angular relation is such that rotation of the shaft causes these heads 55 to force the material in the cooker toward the right. At its right hand end the lower member 33 is provided with an opening 56 which communicates with a cylindrical chamber 51, presently to be referred to.Y It will now be observed that the material passes from the mixer to the left hand end of the cooker, and then gradually moves to the right hand end of the cooker, this motion being affected by the rotating shafts and elements 55. During this movement through the cooker the heat of the steam in the space 58 will thoroughly cook the material and. at the same time, there will be a constant kneading of the mixture so that a mass of plastic material will be obtained in a thoroughly cooked condition, upon the arrival of such material at the opening 56. There will naturally be considerable steam generated from the material being cooked and manholes 58 having covers 58a are arranged to provide access to the interior lof the cooker and to permit escape of any excess steam, most of the steam passing upwardly through the openings 42 and 20 to preheat the material as it passes from the mixer.

These shafts 40 and 4| are driven simultaneously and at equal speeds, and the drive is so arranged that the arm 53 and 54 of one shaft pass between heads 55 of the other shaft as the two shafts rotate. It will further be observed that the spacing of the shafts 40 and 4| is such that the heads 55 of one shaft pass close to the other shaft during rotation at the same time they pass the arms of the other shafts. This insures a very highly efficient kneading of the material in the cooker.

In order to drive the cooker and the other elements of this invention the frame I0 supports a main motor 59, which has a pulley 58a mounted on its shaft. On the frame are.provided alined end bearings 68 and an intermediate bearing 8|. In these bearings is journaled a shaft 62. The shaft 62 forms a jack-shaft and on the left hand end of this shaft is a pinion 65 which meshes with a gear 66 ilxed on the shaft 4|. Similarly, on the right hand end of the shaft 52 is fixed a pinion 61, which meshes with a gear 68 iixed on the shaft 40. The pinions 65 and 61 are of the same size and the gears 66 and 68 also are of the same size. Consequently the shafts 40 and 4| are rotated in unison.

On the frame are also mounted bearings 63 which carry the driving shaft 64 of a speed reduction drive 69 of any preferred form, the casing only of this drive being here shown. On the shaft 64 is mounted a pulley which is connected by belting 10 to the pulley 59a. By this means the shaft 62 is driven from the motor. On the shaft 64 is also mounted a pulley or sprocket 1| which is connected by belt or chain 12 with a pulley or sprocket 13 mounted on a shaft 14. On this shaft 14 is keyed a clutch member 15 actuated by the lever 16 to engage with and disengage from a clutch member 11 fixed on a shaft 18 which forms the driving shaft for a right angle drive, the casing of which is shown at 19. The purpose of this right angle drive will presently be understood. At the right rear part of the machine there is provided a standard type of variable speed drive, the casing of which is indicated at 80, and this drive receives its power from a motor (not shown). The output shaft of the variable speed drive is indicated at 82 and carries a sprocket 83 which is connected by a suitable sprocket chain such as a roller chain 84 to a sprocket 85 mounted on a shaft 86. This shaft 86 is supported in a bearing 81 carried by the frame end in a stuiing box 88 supported by the end wall 89 of the charnber 51, the stufllng box being disposed axially.

The chamber 51 is provided with a cylindrical casing 88, having a flange 8| at its forward end. On the shaft 86 is mounted a conveyor element in the form of a screw 8'|a. Thus when the material is fed downward through the opening 58 15 aasaeia it is forcibly urged through the chamber 51 by the screw Sla. The chamber 51 leads into an extrusion chamber 92 having a flange 93 at its rear part by which it is connected to the flange 9|. The chamber 92 has a cylindrical side wall 94, and at its forward end this'chamber is provided with an inwardly extending peripheral flange 96. This cylindrical side wall has at its middle portion a belt of perforations 99, the whole forming a die. Mounted lwithin the chamber 93 is an extrusion head or roller of somewhat less diameter than the interior of the die, the rear face of the roller having preferably a conical face as at 98. The body oi the head 91 is of general frusto-conical form but the periphery of this body is slightly concave as at 99.

Supported from the frame I is a cylindrical housing |00, which is concentric to the chamber 51 and slightly excentric to the head 91. Within the front end of the housing |00 is supported a combination radial and thrust ballbearing |0l and at the rear end is likewise supported a ballbearing |02. A dust cap |03 is tted on the front of the housing |00. In the bearings |0| and |02 is supported a shaft |04 which projects forwardly of the bearing |0| into a roller bearing |05, this roller bearing being spaced from the dust cap |03 and being supported on the frame i0. Between the bearing and dust cap |03 there is provided a hub |06 which is keyed on the shaft |04 and has its inner end provided with a peripheral flange |01 to which is secured a pair of sprocket wheels |08 held to the flange |01 by suitable bolts |09, or the like. The right angle gear 19 has an output shaft H0, whereon is mounted sprockets connected by chain I I2 with the sprocket |08.

On the rear end of the shaft |04 (Fig. 9) is an eccentric or crank ||3 having a very small throw. This crank carries a ball bearing ||4 and a thrust bearing I 5 which fit within a cylindrical recess I6 extending into the head 91 from the front face ||1 thereof. Surrounding the eccentric ||3, the head is provided at its front face with a shallow recess ||8 forming an extension of the recess 8 and in this extension ||8 is seated a plate ||9 which carries a dust ring |20 bearing against a head or closure 2| xed to the rear end of the housing |00. Extending from the flange 95 are bolts |2|a whereon ls fitted a dough ring |22 which is pressed against the head 91 by means of springs |23 surrounding the bolts |2 la and having their tension regulated by nuts |24. Surrounding the casing 94 is a casing |25 which at its front end has an inwardly projecting flange |26. At |21 is a knife supporting ring which has a lip |28 fitting behind the flange |26. This knife supporting ring is connected by a frame |29 with a ring |30 secured by bolts |3| to the rear sprocket |08. On the flange 95 is also mounted a ring |32 which carries a thin ring |33 extending behind the lip |34 formed on the ring |21.

Secured to the ring |21 and projecting in- Wardly of the casing |25 is a sleeve |35 through which passes a stem |36 carrying on its inner end a head |31, which is rockingly arranged on the stem and which supports a doctor knife |38 bearing constantly against the peripheral portion of the cylindrical side wall 94. On the stem |36 is xed an arm |38a to the free end of which is connected one end of a spring |39 (Fig. 10) having its other end connected to a pin |40 carried by the ring 21, so that the knife |38 is constantly urged into contact with the cylindrical surface of side wall 84.

The frame i0 supports a suitably driven blower i8 which communicates through a pipe M2 to the lower part of the casing |25, and tangentially thereof through inlet |42a, so that cool air may be constantly blown into this casing eecting a cooling and drying of the pellets as they are whirled rapidly within the casing |25 so that they will not adhere to each other or to other obiects. At the bottom of the casing is an outlet funnel |43 permitting escape of the pellets preferably to apparatus (not shown) where the cooling and drying is continued.

The operation of the mixer, cooker, and auger having been described it will be seen that the cooked material is gradually delivered into the chamber 92. Here, due to the pressing action of the screw, it is forced outwardly of the conical face 99 and into the space between the wall 94 and the hollow peripheral face 99 of the head 91. Now the rotation of the shaft |04 causes the head 91 to perform a planetary movement while the bearing 4 and i5 permit free rotation of the head 91 on the crank or eccentric H3. The en'ect of this is that the head 91 rolls around the wall 94 compressing the material between the face 99 and the wall 94 and thus forcing this material out causing it to be extruded through the perforations 99. At the same time the ring |30 rotates with the shaft.|04. which in turn causes rotation of the ring |21. This ring thus carries the doctor knife |38 around the wall 94 and thus cuts off the extruded material forming pellets which are whirled and cooled by the air blast from the blower casing |4|, and pass out through the funnel |43.

A hand wheel |44 is used for adjusting the variable gearing 80, for varying the speed of the screw 9|a thereby adjusting the length of the pellets since the speed of the doctor knife remains constant. A lubricating means such as indicated at |45 is provided for admitting lubricant to the recess I6.

What is claimed is:

1. In a continuous machine of the class described, a cooker including an elongated vessel of oblong cross-section, a pair of shafts extending longitudinally through said vessel, T-shaped mixing arms extending from said shafts with the stem portions of the arms fixed to the shafts and the heads of the arms of each shaft positioned between the stems of the arms of the other shaft in` longitudinally overlapping relationship when passing, and means to cause rotation of said shafts, certain of the arms of each shaft simultaneously passing closely adjacent the arms of the other shaft to cause a thorough kneading of material in said vessel.

2. In a continuous machine of the class described, a cooker including an elongated vessel of oblong cross-section, a pair of shafts extending longitudinally through said Vessel, T-shaped mixing arms extending from said shafts with the stem portions of the arms fixed to the shafts and the heads of the arms of each shaft positioned between the stems of the arms of the other shaft in longitudinally overlapping relationship when passing, the heads on said arms being linclined to form conveyor elements for conveying food material longitudinally of the shafts as they revolve, and means to cause rotation of said shafts, certain of the arms of each shaft simultaneously passing closely adjacent the arms of the'other from end to end thereof while being cooked and to force the cooked dough through the aperture in the wall of said enclosure while under the heating influence of said heating means, said kneading and propelling means including a pair of parallel adjacent. rotary shafts having interdigitating T-shaped arms the heads of which are adapted to pass in longitudinally overlapping relationship.

f THOMAS R. JAMES. 

